Back to Catrico

[Kylia Quilor]

Before Ne'charri and Sharpe had gone off on their own projects, and Keeper spent a week improving the lots of people in the slums and other poor quarters of the city, helping to ease the burden of injury, illness and just plain despair on many, they had arranged to meet near the Countess's castle, where several taverns, inns and other eateries were. The city was busy, and people generally seemed upbeat and positive - the reopening of trade continued to be a positive for the city, and so far, no one seemed worried about war breaking out tomorrow, so business was good.

For the moment. This close to the Disputed Lands, people tended to have their moods shift wildly, but today, peace was expected.

Keeper found himself the first to arrive, but only by a few minutes, as Ne'charri and then Sharpe arrived. The sky was partially clouded, without any sign or indication of coming rain, a small breeze sweeping through the city from the docks.

[FrancisJohn]

~ Keeper Anam, Wandering Ascetic ~

---

Keeper sits idly on a bench with eyes closed. To those who know Keeper, it is a safe assumption that he'd be deep in prayer.

---

OOC: none

---

Stats

Character: Sheet, Thread

HP: 84/84
Status:

Hands: staff

Initiative: +3
Perception: +14

AC: 26
Flat: 21
Touch: 22

CMD: 29
FCMD: 24
+2 disarm
+2 grapple
+2 trip

Fort: +13
Reflex: +8
Will: +17

Spell Resist: +13 Evil Outsiders

 

[Doby]

 

Seeing Keeper brought a smile to Ne'charri's face, even if it only lasted for a moment.

"I was wondering if you'd been able to stay out of trouble," Ne'charri said with a wry smirk. "At least whatever trouble we get into now will be together." 

Ne'charri's caught another figure approaching out of the corner of her eye. As she turned, she let out almost in a sigh, "And the wizard. We are whole once more."

Retrieving a piece of parchment from her tunic, Ne'charri held it up and reminded the group what it was. "The note from the dead druid at the keep. It's to Relora, an arch-druid. It tells of betrayal by the empire's spies, meant as a warning." Ne'charri paused to let the information sink in. "Whatever else we do next, we should deliver this message soon. We may find allies if we act with haste."

 

Actions/OOC

 

Stats

 

Ne'charri

Female%20CN%20Human%20Sorcerer%20(crossblooded)%2FDragon%20Disciple%2C%20%5BB%5DLevel%5B%2FB%5D%209%20(5%2F4)%2C%20%5BB%5DInit%5B%2FB%5D%205%2C%20%5BB%5DHP%5B%2FB%5D%2087%2F87%2C%20%5BB%5DSpeed%5B%2FB%5D%2030%0A%5BB%5DAC%5B%2FB%5D%2024%2C%20%5BB%5DTouch%5B%2FB%5D%2019%2C%20%5BB%5DFlat-footed%5B%2FB%5D%2020%2C%20%5BB%5DCMD%5B%2Fb%5D%2028%2C%20%5BB%5DFort%5B%2FB%5D%2013%2C%20%5BB%5DRef%5B%2FB%5D%2012%2C%20%5BB%5DWill%5B%2FB%5D%2011%2C%20%5BB%5DCMB%5B%2FB%5D%20%2B13%2C%20%5BB%5DBase%20Attack%20Bonus%5B%2FB%5D%205.5%20%20%20%0A%5BB%5Dbloodline%20power%2C%20counts%20as%20magic%2C%20includes%20power%20attack%2Frisky%20strike%2C%20weapon%20focus%2C%20arcane%20strike%2C%20and%20amulet%20of%20mighty%20fists%20(keen%2Cthundering)%20Draconic%20Claws%20(2)%20(9%20rounds%2Fday)%20%5B%2FB%5D%20%2B13%20(1d6%2B11%20plus%201d6%20acid%2C%2019-20x2%2B1d8%20sonic)%0A%5BB%5Dprestige%20class%20power%2C%20see%20claws%2C%20str%20and%20risky%20strike%20bonuses%20x%201.5%20for%20damage%20Draconic%20Bite%20%5B%2FB%5D%20%2B13%20(1d6%2B15%20plus%201d6%20acid%2C%2019-20x2%2B1d8%20sonic)%0A%5BB%5DMasterwork%20MW%20Dagger%20%5B%2FB%5D%20%2B13%20(1d4%2B7%2C%2019-20%20x%202)%0A%5BB%5DSpell%20Mage%20Armor%5B%2FB%5D%20(%2B4%20Armor%2C%20%2B5%20Dex%2C%20%2B4%20Natural%2C%20%2B1%20Deflect)%0A%5BB%5DAbilities%5B%2FB%5D%20Str%2024%2C%20Dex%2020%2C%20Con%2018%2C%20Int%2011%2C%20Wis%2016%2C%20Cha%2022%0A%5BB%5DCondition%5B%2FB%5D%20None%20

Female CN Human Sorcerer (crossblooded)/Dragon Disciple, Level 9 (5/4), Init 5, HP 87/87, Speed 30
AC 24, Touch 19, Flat-footed 20, CMD 28, Fort 13, Ref 12, Will 11, CMB +13, Base Attack Bonus 5.5
bloodline power, counts as magic, includes power attack/risky strike, weapon focus, arcane strike, and amulet of mighty fists (keen,thundering) Draconic Claws (2) (9 rounds/day) +13 (1d6+11 plus 1d6 acid, 19-20x2+1d8 sonic)
prestige class power, see claws, str and risky strike bonuses x 1.5 for damage Draconic Bite +13 (1d6+15 plus 1d6 acid, 19-20x2+1d8 sonic)
Masterwork MW Dagger +13 (1d4+7, 19-20 x 2)
Spell Mage Armor (+4 Armor, +5 Dex, +4 Natural, +1 Deflect)
Abilities Str 24, Dex 20, Con 18, Int 11, Wis 16, Cha 22
Condition None

Active Spells:

Mage Armor (cast w/extend spell, uses level 2 slot, lasts 20 hours)
Fly (increase from min/level to hours/level per mutable flesh, cast w/extend spell, uses level 4 slot, lasts 22 hours)

 

[Mister Doctor]

Sharpe - Character Sheet
Dog - Companion Sheet

---

AC: 28 TAC: 18 FF: 22 CMD: 26 Fort: +8 Ref: +14 Will: +11
HP: 76/76 Narrative: 4 | Perception: +14

---

"Druids? Betrayal? Were they cooperating with our lovely imperial revanchists before?" Sharpe asked, curiosity piqued by the unstated context of Ne'charri's request. He was not idealistic enough turn down the acquisition of new allies on the grounds of their past ties without due consideration but feeling out the shape of this ill-conceived conspiracy was useful.

"Regardless, I'd much rather pursue a fresh lead than attempt to sort through a mountain of old supply receipts for a handful of clues."

[Kylia Quilor]

There was the Druid Rinthian, who had been tasked by an unknown organization or master to create problems in the Disputed Lands for trade between Kardin and Catrico - noteably the two most friendly fiefdoms on either side of that borderline.

Even non-druids would know how to find an Arch-druid, and inquiring with the magically inclined, or the Countess would produce a destination: A hundred twenty-odd miles to the northeast of Catrico, there was the edge of a large forest known as Vintagar's Woods. It was a place that was in much legal dispute in the Kingdom, as various nobles laid claim to parts of it, the Grand Prince had a claim to it, and a powerful circle of Druids had legal documents from the Empire that claimed the Woods were theirs in perpetuity - which nominally meant nothing, but apparently due to some complicated legal precedents after Pellia became an independent realm in the aftermath of the Empire, those documents maybe held water.

The Woods had been the site of constant on and off low-burn skirmishing between lords and the Druids and local allies, as well as a legal battle that had been going back and forth through Pellia's courts for the last sixty-seven years.

Relora was known to be either a leader, or the leader of that druidic circle, though she'd never been known to speak to outsiders, communicating entirely through lesser druids or sometimes Animals she had granted awareness to by magic - once sending a fox to speak for her circle at a court hearing. (alongside well-paid barristers, of course)

[FrancisJohn]

~ Keeper Anam, Wandering Ascetic ~

---

Keeper smiles at the return of his companions. "These old and achy bones can surely go for a nice long walk. When would you guys like to depart?"

---

OOC: none

---

Stats

Character: Sheet, Thread

HP: 84/84
Status:

Hands: staff

Initiative: +3
Perception: +14

AC: 26
Flat: 21
Touch: 22

CMD: 29
FCMD: 24
+2 disarm
+2 grapple
+2 trip

Fort: +13
Reflex: +8
Will: +17

Spell Resist: +13 Evil Outsiders

 

[Mister Doctor]

Sharpe - Character Sheet
Dog - Companion Sheet

---

AC: 28 TAC: 18 FF: 22 CMD: 26 Fort: +8 Ref: +14 Will: +11
HP: 76/76 Narrative: 4 | Perception: +14

---

"I'd say post-haste, but if your bones really are that achy perhaps after a nap?" Sharpe teased the older man, giving him a light elbow to the ribs.

"I've still got my samples from the jaunt into the Ethereal. Those should serve as a rather nice gift if we want to make a good impression with the druids. Dog is already all packed up and ready to go."

[FrancisJohn]

~ Keeper Anam, Wandering Ascetic ~

---

Keeper lets slip a genuine chuckle. "If they weren't achy before, they certainly are now! But nap or not, I am ready to leave."

---

OOC: none

---

Stats

Character: Sheet, Thread

HP: 84/84
Status:

Hands: staff

Initiative: +3
Perception: +14

AC: 26
Flat: 21
Touch: 22

CMD: 29
FCMD: 24
+2 disarm
+2 grapple
+2 trip

Fort: +13
Reflex: +8
Will: +17

Spell Resist: +13 Evil Outsiders

 

[Kylia Quilor]

It was a simple, if many days long, trip to the edge of Vintagar's Woods, a hundred and twenty miles along generally good roads and through increasingly peaceful inner fiefdoms, away from the Disputed Lands and the militarization of the border. Pellia was a different realm than Vancia, in ways small and large. The nobility was generally both more and less powerful in Pellia, restrained less by the power of the central government's law than by custom and court order, practicality over privilege's.

What this also meant is that the peasants and commoners were... well, to put in terms that Duke Chelstead might have put it, they were a little too outspoken, a little too independent minded. Upity, a more blatant noble might put it.

Fortunately, for them, it meant that as they drew closer to Vintagar's Woods, they were able to pick up a lot of details from travelers and other residents at inns or the like. Apparently, the low-burn skirmishes inside the Woods had been heating up of late, with Count Varcail being behind the worst of it. His raiders in the edges of the forest were now slaughtering animals in job lots in case they were spies sent by the druids... and the druids had responded by stepping up their violence against everyone. Things were on the verge of breaking out of the forest entirely.

They might have their work cut out for them to get to Relora.

[Doby]

 

During the trek, Ne'charri alternates between keeping her distance from Keeper and being intentionally in his proximity but awkwardly quiet. She hadn't cared about anyone enough to give them a gift in a long time, longer than she could immediately recall. Being vulnerable in any way wasn't something Ne'charri was comfortable with anymore, even with her friends.

At the end of the second day, she'd had enough. She realized she was being weak and timid, and that was far worse for her than any other feeling she may have had. "Old man," she nearly bellowed as she stood near, almost over, Keeper as he sat by the evening fire. "I was shopping back at Catrico, this reminded me of you," she said as she tossed him something shiny. It was a necklace, and the thin leather strap began to unfold as it dropped through the air. As it landed softly in Keeper's hand he saw the amulet was well crafted; while Ne'charri didn't tell anyone this, it was actually hand crafted by a powerful mage who endowed it with strong enchantments. Keeper immediately recognized the small purple and green lotus flower at the heart of the amulet as a holy symbol of Korada.

"Hope you like it," Ne'charri said with her back turned as she was already leaving the area. And doing so Quickly. "I've got watch," she said just as she moved out of earshot.

---

In Vintagar, the idea of slaughtering creatures senselessly did not sit well with Ne'charri. Even as a hunter she had always been taught to treat her kills with respect as they provided food, furs and other necessities. Her recent time with the druid, Tyressa, had only deepened her reverence for beasts and the like after having spent so much time experiencing life from their vantage point. Death had its place in nature, but it was driven by purpose and survival. These purposeless killings would not stand.

"Give the Count a chance to call off the slaughter, or straight to the forest to stop it ourselves?" Ne'charri asked Keeper and Sharpe. She made no effort to hide her disdain for what was happening, and her anger seemed to be ready to boil over.

 

Actions/OOC

 

Stats

 

Ne'charri

Female%20CN%20Human%20Sorcerer%20(crossblooded)%2FDragon%20Disciple%2C%20%5BB%5DLevel%5B%2FB%5D%209%20(5%2F4)%2C%20%5BB%5DInit%5B%2FB%5D%205%2C%20%5BB%5DHP%5B%2FB%5D%2087%2F87%2C%20%5BB%5DSpeed%5B%2FB%5D%2030%0A%5BB%5DAC%5B%2FB%5D%2024%2C%20%5BB%5DTouch%5B%2FB%5D%2019%2C%20%5BB%5DFlat-footed%5B%2FB%5D%2020%2C%20%5BB%5DCMD%5B%2Fb%5D%2028%2C%20%5BB%5DFort%5B%2FB%5D%2013%2C%20%5BB%5DRef%5B%2FB%5D%2012%2C%20%5BB%5DWill%5B%2FB%5D%2011%2C%20%5BB%5DCMB%5B%2FB%5D%20%2B13%2C%20%5BB%5DBase%20Attack%20Bonus%5B%2FB%5D%205.5%20%20%20%0A%5BB%5Dbloodline%20power%2C%20counts%20as%20magic%2C%20includes%20power%20attack%2Frisky%20strike%2C%20weapon%20focus%2C%20arcane%20strike%2C%20and%20amulet%20of%20mighty%20fists%20(keen%2Cthundering)%20Draconic%20Claws%20(2)%20(9%20rounds%2Fday)%20%5B%2FB%5D%20%2B13%20(1d6%2B11%20plus%201d6%20acid%2C%2019-20x2%2B1d8%20sonic)%0A%5BB%5Dprestige%20class%20power%2C%20see%20claws%2C%20str%20and%20risky%20strike%20bonuses%20x%201.5%20for%20damage%20Draconic%20Bite%20%5B%2FB%5D%20%2B13%20(1d6%2B15%20plus%201d6%20acid%2C%2019-20x2%2B1d8%20sonic)%0A%5BB%5DMasterwork%20MW%20Dagger%20%5B%2FB%5D%20%2B13%20(1d4%2B7%2C%2019-20%20x%202)%0A%5BB%5DSpell%20Mage%20Armor%5B%2FB%5D%20(%2B4%20Armor%2C%20%2B5%20Dex%2C%20%2B4%20Natural%2C%20%2B1%20Deflect)%0A%5BB%5DAbilities%5B%2FB%5D%20Str%2024%2C%20Dex%2020%2C%20Con%2018%2C%20Int%2011%2C%20Wis%2016%2C%20Cha%2022%0A%5BB%5DCondition%5B%2FB%5D%20None%20

Female CN Human Sorcerer (crossblooded)/Dragon Disciple, Level 9 (5/4), Init 5, HP 87/87, Speed 30
AC 24, Touch 19, Flat-footed 20, CMD 28, Fort 13, Ref 12, Will 11, CMB +13, Base Attack Bonus 5.5
bloodline power, counts as magic, includes power attack/risky strike, weapon focus, arcane strike, and amulet of mighty fists (keen,thundering) Draconic Claws (2) (9 rounds/day) +13 (1d6+11 plus 1d6 acid, 19-20x2+1d8 sonic)
prestige class power, see claws, str and risky strike bonuses x 1.5 for damage Draconic Bite +13 (1d6+15 plus 1d6 acid, 19-20x2+1d8 sonic)
Masterwork MW Dagger +13 (1d4+7, 19-20 x 2)
Spell Mage Armor (+4 Armor, +5 Dex, +4 Natural, +1 Deflect)
Abilities Str 24, Dex 20, Con 18, Int 11, Wis 16, Cha 22
Condition None

Active Spells:

Mage Armor (cast w/extend spell, uses level 2 slot, lasts 20 hours)
Fly (increase from min/level to hours/level per mutable flesh, cast w/extend spell, uses level 4 slot, lasts 22 hours)

 

[Mister Doctor]

Sharpe - Character Sheet
Dog - Companion Sheet

---

AC: 28 TAC: 18 FF: 22 CMD: 26 Fort: +8 Ref: +14 Will: +11
HP: 76/76 Narrative: 4 | Perception: +14

---

"We need to get that letter to the druids first," Sharpe said, from his customary seat atop Dog's wooden back. He was rummaging around in one of the drawer for a flask of cool tea. Unscrewing the top, he took a long pull before offering it down to Ne'charri and Keeper.

"Our pull back in Catrico might not mean much out here and I'd rather treat with those we have an in with first."

[FrancisJohn]

~ Keeper Anam, Wandering Ascetic ~

---

Keeper readily accepts the gifted amulet from Ne'charri. He takes a moment to glance it over, eyes obviously enraptured with its beauty. There is a bit of a glisten and and twinkle in his aged eyes. He brings it close to chest, right next to his heart and offers a simple, "Thank you, friend. I'll treasure this forever. It's beautiful." He can't help but smile even though Ne'charri's back is already turned and walking away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the border of the woods, Keeper hands back Sharpe his flask and pauses to consider Sharpe's question. "There is merit to both choices, but I think we should opt for whatever method preserves the most life. I believe that might be to enter the forest and stop what we can on the way to the druids."

---

OOC: none

---

Stats

Character: Sheet, Thread

HP: 84/84
Status:

Hands: staff

Initiative: +3
Perception: +14

AC: 27
Flat: 21
Touch: 23

CMD: 30
FCMD: 24
+2 disarm
+2 grapple
+2 trip

Fort: +13
Reflex: +8
Will: +17

Spell Resist: +13 Evil Outsiders

 

Edited May 1 by FrancisJohn (see edit history)

[Doby]

  

"Perfect," is all Ne'charri says as she storms off towards the forest, and doing her best to find some trouble to get into.

 

Actions/OOC

 

Stats

 

Ne'charri

Female%20CN%20Human%20Sorcerer%20(crossblooded)%2FDragon%20Disciple%2C%20%5BB%5DLevel%5B%2FB%5D%209%20(5%2F4)%2C%20%5BB%5DInit%5B%2FB%5D%205%2C%20%5BB%5DHP%5B%2FB%5D%2087%2F87%2C%20%5BB%5DSpeed%5B%2FB%5D%2030%0A%5BB%5DAC%5B%2FB%5D%2024%2C%20%5BB%5DTouch%5B%2FB%5D%2019%2C%20%5BB%5DFlat-footed%5B%2FB%5D%2020%2C%20%5BB%5DCMD%5B%2Fb%5D%2028%2C%20%5BB%5DFort%5B%2FB%5D%2013%2C%20%5BB%5DRef%5B%2FB%5D%2012%2C%20%5BB%5DWill%5B%2FB%5D%2011%2C%20%5BB%5DCMB%5B%2FB%5D%20%2B13%2C%20%5BB%5DBase%20Attack%20Bonus%5B%2FB%5D%205.5%20%20%20%0A%5BB%5Dbloodline%20power%2C%20counts%20as%20magic%2C%20includes%20power%20attack%2Frisky%20strike%2C%20weapon%20focus%2C%20arcane%20strike%2C%20and%20amulet%20of%20mighty%20fists%20(keen%2Cthundering)%20Draconic%20Claws%20(2)%20(9%20rounds%2Fday)%20%5B%2FB%5D%20%2B13%20(1d6%2B11%20plus%201d6%20acid%2C%2019-20x2%2B1d8%20sonic)%0A%5BB%5Dprestige%20class%20power%2C%20see%20claws%2C%20str%20and%20risky%20strike%20bonuses%20x%201.5%20for%20damage%20Draconic%20Bite%20%5B%2FB%5D%20%2B13%20(1d6%2B15%20plus%201d6%20acid%2C%2019-20x2%2B1d8%20sonic)%0A%5BB%5DMasterwork%20MW%20Dagger%20%5B%2FB%5D%20%2B13%20(1d4%2B7%2C%2019-20%20x%202)%0A%5BB%5DSpell%20Mage%20Armor%5B%2FB%5D%20(%2B4%20Armor%2C%20%2B5%20Dex%2C%20%2B4%20Natural%2C%20%2B1%20Deflect)%0A%5BB%5DAbilities%5B%2FB%5D%20Str%2024%2C%20Dex%2020%2C%20Con%2018%2C%20Int%2011%2C%20Wis%2016%2C%20Cha%2022%0A%5BB%5DCondition%5B%2FB%5D%20None%20

Female CN Human Sorcerer (crossblooded)/Dragon Disciple, Level 9 (5/4), Init 5, HP 87/87, Speed 30
AC 24, Touch 19, Flat-footed 20, CMD 28, Fort 13, Ref 12, Will 11, CMB +13, Base Attack Bonus 5.5
bloodline power, counts as magic, includes power attack/risky strike, weapon focus, arcane strike, and amulet of mighty fists (keen,thundering) Draconic Claws (2) (9 rounds/day) +13 (1d6+11 plus 1d6 acid, 19-20x2+1d8 sonic)
prestige class power, see claws, str and risky strike bonuses x 1.5 for damage Draconic Bite +13 (1d6+15 plus 1d6 acid, 19-20x2+1d8 sonic)
Masterwork MW Dagger +13 (1d4+7, 19-20 x 2)
Spell Mage Armor (+4 Armor, +5 Dex, +4 Natural, +1 Deflect)
Abilities Str 24, Dex 20, Con 18, Int 11, Wis 16, Cha 22
Condition None

Active Spells:

Mage Armor (cast w/extend spell, uses level 2 slot, lasts 20 hours)
Fly (increase from min/level to hours/level per mutable flesh, cast w/extend spell, uses level 4 slot, lasts 22 hours)

 

[Kylia Quilor]

The smell of blood fills the air as they draw close to the edge of the forest, and once they enter into said forest, the source of it is quickly found, following an animal track through recently thinned undergrowth - showing signs of having been hacked at with swords, axes, machettes to clear the way for human-sized people - and then they come upon a clear patch in the forest - not large enough to be a clearing, really, but clear of trees and bushes.

But not clear of anything else. A dozen deer lie dead, piled atop and around one another, their bodies hacked and slashed open, the deaths fairly recent - only a few bugs and other vermin have started to gather at the body, and a couple of carrion birds that quickly flutter away at the sight of them. There's also a stag, as dead as the rest, one antler snapped, the other coated in blood, as if used to gore an enemy.

Another dozen (or more, it was hard to say) dead squirrels, and the crushed remains - as if under a boot - of what might have been a mouse, rat or shrew round out the display of carnage packed into the small space. There were no signs of those who had done it, but there were bootprints in the blood and earth, heading west, around the outer edges of the forest, and pawprints from what looked like a large wolf - one as big as a horse, judging from the size of the prints - going northeast, deeper into the forest.

---

(Perception checks from everyone please)

[Kylia Quilor]

Sharpe and Ne'charri notice that one of the squirrels is playing dead - it's smeared in blood, and lying next to several dead ones that were chopped up, and it certainly looks dead, but a second look reveals that it is breathing, if very, very, very carefully, and that for all that it has blood all over it, it doesn't appear to actually have been harmed at all.